CN108345355A - Laptop computer with multiple integrated displays - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable computer display unit is interconnected with a base unit of a flip-top configuration. The display unit includes a first display panel. The base unit includes a second display panel. An angle adjustment mechanism may be provided to adjust the angle of the second display panel relative to the user's viewing angle, such as a hinge structure connecting the front edge of the second display panel to the base unit. The second angle adjustment mechanism may be operable to adjust an angle of the base unit relative to a surface on which the second angle adjustment mechanism is placed. The display unit may further include a height adjustment mechanism. A height adjustment mechanism, a first angle adjustment mechanism and a second angle adjustment mechanism may be employed to optimize the angle of the first and second display screens while preventing or minimizing visual obstruction of the first display panel by the second display panel.

Description

Laptop with Multiple Integrated Displays

relevant application data

Previously claimed priority from the following applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/604,031, filed June 21, 2017, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/603,475, filed May 31, 2017, and US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/499,228 filed; the contents of each application are hereby incorporated by reference.

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of portable computers.

Background technique

Current laptop computers are very powerful, but they are still limited in their effectiveness in providing users with true multitasking capabilities. To multitask most effectively, users need to see each task on the screen, and current laptops often have only one screen. For example, you want to be able to view a document on one screen, and view a different document or read email on another screen, and possibly transfer information from one screen to another. This is currently not effectively implemented on conventional portable computers.

Figure 1 shows a typical prior art laptop computer. The configuration includes a base unit 10 pivotally connected to a display unit 11 by hinges 15 and 16 . The base unit 10 includes a keyboard 13 and a touchpad 14 . The display unit 11 includes a display panel 12, usually an LCD screen.

Adding a second screen to a portable computer creates many challenges in terms of user experience, manufacturability, and reliability. Applicant's previous US Patent No. 9,501,097B2, issued November 22, 2016, discloses several designs for effectively implementing a second screen on a portable computer. This paper describes further improvements.

Contents of the invention

A portable computer display unit is interconnected with the base unit in a clamshell configuration. The display unit includes a first display panel. The base unit contains a second display panel. An angle adjustment mechanism may be provided to adjust the angle of the second display panel relative to the user's viewing angle, such as a hinge structure connecting the front edge of the second display panel to the base unit. The second angle adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust an angle of the base unit relative to a surface on which the second angle adjustment mechanism is placed. The display unit may also include a height adjustment mechanism. The height adjustment mechanism, the first angle adjustment mechanism and the second angle adjustment mechanism may be employed to optimize the angles of the first and second display screens while preventing or minimizing visual occlusion of the first display panel by the second display panel. Many other embodiments are described herein with various features, permutations and combinations.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art portable computer.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a viewing angle of a screen.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a viewing angle of a display screen of a portable computer according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a viewing angle of a display screen of a portable computer according to another embodiment.

5 is a front perspective view of a portable computer.

6 is a side perspective view of a portable computer with a base unit tilt mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 .

8 is a front perspective view of a portable computer with an adjustable second display screen.

9 is a side perspective view of a portable computer with an adjustable second display screen and base unit tilt mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 .

11 is a front perspective view of a portable computer with a relatively large base unit display screen.

Figure 12 is the embodiment of Figure 11 with the second base unit display tilted at an optional angle.

13 is a perspective view of a portable computer with a height-adjustable primary display screen.

Fig. 14 is a partial sectional view of the height adjustment mechanism of the main display.

Fig. 15 is a keyboard device of the prior art.

Figure 16 is a reduced height keyboard arrangement.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of another portable computer.

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 17 .

Figure 19 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a portable computer.

20 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a portable computer with a base tilt mechanism in a stowed position.

Figure 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable computer with an adjustable larger second display screen and a base tilt mechanism.

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 21 .

Figure 23 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a portable computer with multiple degrees of freedom in display adjustment.

Figure 24 is a portable computer in a stowed position with an alternative base tilt mechanism.

Figure 25 is a portable computer in the deployed position in place of the base tilt mechanism.

Figure 26 is a portable computer system with an articulating base unit.

Figure 27 is a portable computer with a base unit display overlay.

Figure 28 is a perspective view of the base unit showing the cover.

Figure 29 is a portable computer with a base unit display overlay.

Figure 30 is a portable computer with a base unit display cover with the base tilt mechanism deployed.

FIG. 31 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 30 .

32 is a front perspective view of a portable computer with primary and secondary displays and a virtual keyboard.

33 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 32 with the base tilt mechanism deployed.

34 is a perspective view of a portable computer with a main display panel, a second display panel, and a keyboard display panel.

Figure 35 is the portable computer of Figure 34 with a base unit cover.

Figure 36 is the portable computer of Figure 35 with the tilt mechanism deployed.

37 is a front perspective view of a portable computer with primary and secondary displays and an extended range hinge.

FIG. 38 is a rear perspective view of the portable computer of FIG. 37. FIG.

39 is a perspective view of a portable computer with a second display deployment mechanism.

Detailed ways

While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, several specific embodiments have been shown in the drawings and herein will be described in detail, it being understood that this disclosure is considered as exemplary of the principles herein and is not It is intended that the invention be limited to the embodiments shown.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a user's field of view of a display screen. The user's eyes 22 are focused on the screen 21 through the light beam 24 . The straight line 23 is a straight line perpendicular to the screen surface, drawn at the incident point 21A of the light beam on the screen surface. The angle between the vertical line 23 and the viewing line 24 is called the viewing angle α. Due to characteristics such as typical display screen technology and surface reflectivity, the viewing angle α usually has to be small for optimal image quality. As the viewing angle increases, the quality of the image seen by the user degrades. For a small viewing angle α as shown in Figure 2, the image quality is still acceptable, but as this angle increases, the image quality degrades and eventually becomes unacceptable.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a laptop computer with a display unit 31 and a base unit 37 . The display unit 31 includes a home screen 32 . The base unit 37 includes a second display screen 33 and a keyboard 34 . The user's eyes 35 are looking at the main screen 32 , which has an angle of view α with respect to a vertical line 36 . The viewing angle α is reasonably small, so the user's image quality is acceptable. The second display screen 33 is embedded in the base unit 37 in a fixed non-adjustable position. The viewing angle β of the second display screen 33 is much wider than the viewing angle α, so that if the second display screen 33 is a standard electronic display panel, the user may feel that the image quality on the second display screen 33 is poor. Several techniques are provided to improve the performance of a display screen mounted on a base unit.

One way to improve the user's perception of a second display screen mounted within the laptop computer base unit is to use a second screen 33 specially designed for an ultra-wide viewing angle. A screen designed for a wide viewing angle allows the user to see the second screen 33 with acceptable image quality even when the surface of the screen 33 remains substantially flat relative to the user, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 . Many display manufacturers have developed manufacturing methods to optimize display screens for different viewing angles. These techniques are well known to companies and those skilled in the art that design and manufacture displays, such as LCD displays commonly used in laptop computers. Thus, the method shown in FIG. 3 uses a second screen 33 embedded in a base 37 in a fixed non-adjustable position. The surface of the second screen 33 remains always parallel to the surface of the base 37 . This has the disadvantage that the user cannot adjust the viewing angle to obtain the best image quality, but it has the advantages of simplicity, robustness and low cost, which may be critical in some cases.

Another solution to improve the user's perception of the second display screen is by providing one or more mechanisms in the computer to allow the user to change and adjust the physical orientation of the second screen. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 . 4 is a schematic diagram of a laptop computer shown in cross-sectional side view. In FIG. 4 , the second screen 53 has a mechanically adjustable angle because it is rotatable about a hinge 57 . Due to the rotation of the screen 53 , the viewing angle β in FIG. 4 becomes much smaller than that in FIG. 3 , which improves the image quality perceived by the user when used with the conventional display panel 53 . Using this approach, the second screen 53 can be designed and manufactured to have a normal viewing angle (as opposed to the special screen with an ultra-wide viewing angle described in FIG. 3 ). Thus, this embodiment provides a potentially lower cost second screen because the requirements for the second screen are less stringent. Of course, an ultra-wide viewing angle second screen 53 can also be used in embodiments with an adjustable second screen angle, if desired, in order to combine the advantages with respect to the tilt angle of the hinge 57 with a special wide-angle screen design. In some embodiments, the hinge 57 can be specified with two predetermined rest positions, so that the screen 53 can be between a flat (closed) position and an open position at a predetermined angle relative to the plane on which the top surface of the base unit 59 is placed. switch. In other embodiments, hinge 57 may include more than 2 predetermined rest positions. In other embodiments, the hinge 57 can enable the angle of the second display screen 53 relative to the base unit 59 to be continuously adjusted within a certain range. Many possible variations of this concept are possible.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second display laptop in a fixed position comparable to FIG. 3 . Computer 650 includes a primary display 651 , a relatively small secondary display 652 and a full-sized conventional keyboard 653 . Optionally, a touchpad can be added by slightly modifying the layout of the second screen and keyboard. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the inclusion of a touchpad may be considered optional, as the second screen 652 may be a touchscreen, providing a means for user-specified selections and eliminating the need for a separate touchpad.

In some embodiments, even when the second display screen is fixed in the laptop computer base unit, the user can adjust the viewing angle of the second display screen mounted on the base unit by adjusting the angle of the base unit, and the second display screen The screen display screen is installed in the base unit. Figure 6 shows such an embodiment in a side perspective view. The figure includes a display unit 62 mounted to a base unit 61 by adjustable hinges. The display unit 62 includes a main display screen 63 . The base unit 61 includes a second screen 64 , a keyboard 65 and a tilt mechanism 67 . The tilt mechanism 67 is illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 6 as an expandable frame mounted on the underside of the base unit 61 . The tilt mechanism 67 tilts the base 67 of the computer relative to the surface on which the computer is placed, which allows the user to adjust the viewing angle of the second screen relative to himself. By manually pivoting the display unit 62 on its hinge relative to the base unit 61 when any adjustment of the tilt mechanism 67 simultaneously causes a change in the viewing angle of the main screen 63, the user can easily adjust the viewing angle of the main screen 63 over a wide range. perspective.

Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the same embodiment shown in Figure 6 . The tilt mechanism 67 can pivot or articulate about the base unit 61 via a hinge 70 mounted on the base unit 61 . In some embodiments, hinge 70 may be a mechanism that moves between two rest positions (open or closed); in the closed position, mechanism 67 is placed flush with the bottom of base unit 61, and in the open position (Fig. 7 As shown), mechanism 67 extends downward from the bottom of base unit 61 to abut against a support surface and raise the rear of base unit 61 above the support surface. In other embodiments, hinge 70 may be adjustable between multiple rest positions, or may be continuously adjustable (eg, by using a friction hinge of hinge 70 ) between a closed position and a range of open positions.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment in which a relatively small second screen 82 is mounted within the top surface of the base unit 81 , above or behind the keyboard 83 . The front edge or front edge of the second screen 82 is connected to the base unit 81 via a left hinge or pivot mechanism 85 and a right hinge or pivot mechanism 87, so that the second screen 82 can pivot upwards from the top surface of the base unit 81 to unfold position, as shown in Figure 8. Although illustrated in FIG. 8 as having two hinges 85 and 87, it is contemplated and understood that alternative mechanisms may be used to connect the second screen 82 to the base unit 81, including but not limited to extending through the second display screen 82. Single hinge construction on the entire front edge of the . The laptop computer embodiment of FIG. 8 also includes a main display panel 89 within a flip display unit 88 . Among other things, the display unit 88 can fold down over the top of the base unit 81 when the second display screen 82 is stowed.

The embodiment of Figure 8 does not have a base unit tilt mechanism. Due to the relatively small height of the secondary screen, visual interference between the secondary screen 82 and the primary screen 85 is minimized (ie, the secondary screen does not significantly obstruct the user's view of the primary display 88 during normal use). If the secondary base unit display screen is adjustable to a greater angle relative to the base unit 81, or if the secondary display screen has a higher aspect ratio, visual obscuration of the primary display screen 89 may become an issue.

Figure 9 shows a front perspective view of another embodiment combining an adjustable second base unit display screen with a base unit support mechanism. FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the same dual adjustment mechanism embodiment of FIG. 9 .

The laptop computer of FIG. 9 includes a base unit 91 and a display unit 92 arranged in a clamshell structure. The display unit 92 includes a main display screen 93 . The base unit 91 includes a second display screen 94 mounted within the top surface of the base unit 91 behind the keyboard 95 . Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 8 , the second display screen 94 is via a hinge mechanism at the front edge of the display screen 94 so that the rear edge of the display screen 94 can pivot upward relative to the top surface of the base unit 91 . The base unit 91 also includes a tilt mechanism 96, similar to that provided in the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, allowing adjustment of the angle at which the base unit 91 is placed on a support surface. This embodiment includes adjustability of the second screen 94 as well as adjustability of the base via its tilt mechanism 96 . The combination of the angle adjustment mechanism of the second screen 94 with the base unit tilt mechanism 96 can be very advantageous because, for example, the two adjustments add up to control the angle of incidence of the viewer to the second display screen 94, and the second screen 94 may obscure the The extent of the user's field of view to the main screen 93, which allows optimal viewing conditions to be achieved with only modest adjustments to each degree of freedom. If the only adjustment provided is the rotation of the second screen 94, some users may require a high angle of the second screen that would result in obscuring the main screen. In this embodiment, this is easily avoided by not tipping the second display excessively, but relying in part on the tilt mechanism 96 to obtain the desired viewing angle. Conversely, if the only adjustment provided is the tilt mechanism 96, the user may need to use very large tilts to obtain the desired viewing angle, which may make the computer feel unstable, too tall or difficult to use with the keyboard. The combination of both mechanisms achieves the best configurability.

The hinge that connects the main display to the base (such as hinge 97 in FIG. 9 ) is preferably a hinge with a very wide range of angles, such as a Yoga-type hinge (also known as a multi-mode hinge or for 2-in-1 laptops). hinge). The wide angle range facilitates the dual adjustment method described above because when the base is tilted up by the tilt mechanism 96 to set the viewing angle of the secondary screen, the primary screen typically needs to be turned back away from the user to reset the viewing angle of the primary display. Having an extended range hinge (such as 97) facilitates the behavior described above.

Embodiments may preferably employ a very wide range of hinges to specifically achieve one or more of three purposes: (1) to make it easier for the user to find the best viewing angle; / The presenter is on one side of the computer folded into the shape of a triangle, and the audience is on the opposite side, with the extended range hinge at the top of the triangle; and (3) to facilitate the use of the computer of the present invention as a tablet, by placing It folds in the triangular arrangement just described, or even completely wraps around into a flat configuration in which the back of the display unit sits flush against the back of the base unit. In some embodiments, the wide range hinge may allow the display unit to be adjusted relative to the base unit over a range significantly greater than 180 degrees (eg, approximately 360 degrees).

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the invention having a primary display 111 , a larger secondary display 113 and a keyboard 115 of reduced size. The larger second display 113 takes up most of the space available in the computer base 114, so the keyboard 115 is preferably made of a reduced size. The size reduction of keyboard among the present invention can be realized by two kinds of methods (or its combination):

a) Reduce the pitch (distance between keys) by reducing the size of the keys and/or by arranging the keys closer to each other. This approach works perfectly fine for some users, but may be inconvenient for some users accustomed to full-sized keyboards, or

b) Reducing the number of rows in the keyboard by having multiple assignments to each key (shown further below in connection with Figures 15 and 16).

A larger secondary display 113 is generally more convenient or functional to the user than a small display, enabling more efficient multitasking and yielding convenience and productivity advantages. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, such a larger secondary display 113 has the potential disadvantage that it can partially block the primary display's view when unfolded.

Specifically, FIG. 11 illustrates a front perspective view similar to what a user may observe, with the upper portion of the second display 113 partially occluding the lower portion of the primary screen 111 . However, in some embodiments this can be mitigated or avoided by different approaches (or combinations thereof), including:

a) Designing the screen 113 with a wide viewing angle, which allows the user to unfold the screen 113 at a lower angle that does not significantly block the field of view of the main screen 111, while still providing good image quality for the second display 113, as shown in the configuration of FIG. 12 ,or

b) providing a lifting mechanism in the main display unit that allows the user to raise the main screen to a higher position that prevents or minimizes view obstruction, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, or

c) Provide a tilt mechanism that raises the base of the laptop computer to an angle, as shown in FIG. 17 .

For example, FIG. 12 shows an embodiment utilizing a base unit LCD screen designed with an ultra-wide viewing angle, even when the second display 113 is raised only at a small angle to minimize interference from the primary display 111. Still providing acceptable image quality to the second display 113 .

Figure 13 shows an embodiment with a relatively large second screen 132 in the base unit 130, illustrated as being deployed at a relatively high angle by the user for his convenience and optimal viewing of the second screen 132 . The display unit is mounted to the base unit 130 in a clamshell configuration and includes a main display screen 131 mounted on a slidable bracket structure 134 that the user can slide up or down relative to display unit rails 133 and 136 . Rails 133 and 136 are hingedly mounted to base unit 130 using hinges, such as those described in connection with other embodiments.

In operation, the user can adjust the viewing angles of both the primary screen 131 and the secondary screen 132 to a desired viewing angle that maximizes the image quality on each screen while adjusting the height of the primary screen 131 above the base unit 130 In order to prevent or minimize the visual occlusion of the main screen 131 by the second screen 132 . In order to maintain the home screen 131 at a desired height, a detent or braking mechanism 137 may be included in one or more of the tracks 136 and 133 . Detent or detent mechanism 137 may be moved by a user to a locked or unlocked position to release or lock the position of home screen 131 relative to rails 133 and 136 .

FIG. 14 shows further details of an embodiment with a detent or detent mechanism for the slidable home screen 141 . The slidable carrying plate 142 carries the screen 141 and allows the position of the screen 141 to be adjusted by sliding along the rail 145 . The detent mechanism for holding the screen 141 at a desired position has a button or slider 146 movable to a LOCK position to stop the screen 141 at a desired height. Brakes can be designed and manufactured in many different forms and embodiments. One possible embodiment is a low angle ramp that is depressed by the button to provide frictional engagement between the track 145 and the bracket 142 when the button is moved to the LOCK position. Another possible embodiment of the detent mechanism could be a positive engagement mechanism, where a button is pushed in to engage with a hole or other shape in the track. Another possible embodiment is a magnetic brake, where a button 146 moves a small magnet from a further position to a position closer to the track, magnetically coupling the two. There are many different possibilities and embodiments to brake the slide in the track.

FIG. 15 shows a conventional keyboard for comparison purposes, and FIG. 16 shows a keyboard with a reduced height in the vertical direction and an increased length in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, height reduction is achieved by assigning multiple functions to all or most of the keys. The reduced height keyboard facilitates the aforementioned embodiment with a larger second screen by reducing the surface area of the laptop computer base unit that is consumed by the keyboard.

FIG. 17 shows a computer embodiment with a second base unit display screen and base unit support mechanism on a desktop surface 331 . The laptop includes a laptop base 332 having a display unit 333 with a main screen 334 and a second large screen 335 . The base unit 332 also includes a tilt mechanism 336 that the user can deploy to change and adjust the angle of the base unit 332 and thus the second screen 335 relative to the table top 331 to provide a favorable viewing angle for the second screen 335. The angle of the main screen 334 can also be adjusted by the user by pivoting the main display unit 333 about the computer hinges 337 and 338 at any time as desired. Hinges 337 and 338 are preferably of the extended ultra-wide range type so that home screen 334 can be conveniently adjusted even for high levels of tilt achievable by tilt mechanism 336 . This solution provides users with favorable viewing angles and makes it possible for laptop manufacturers to use standard LCD displays for the second screen without requiring special optical designs to mitigate the unfavorable viewing angles. This maintains cost savings and provides good image quality for both screens.

Figure 18 shows a lower rear perspective view of an embodiment having a base unit tilt mechanism such as that shown in Figure 6 with the tilt support mechanism in a deployed position. Laptop base 455 is angled due to the deployed tilt mechanism comprising support frame 452 and two friction hinges 453 and 454 that will rotatably maintain the position of the support frame. The user can continuously adjust support frame 452 to any desired angle within the range of hinges 453 and 454 . Many variations are possible. Tilt mechanisms can be designed in many different ways.

. FIG. 19 shows a different approach that includes a rotatable tab 192 that pivots near the rear of the computer base 191 . The tabs are free to rotate about their pivots 193 and 194 up to a maximum angle defined by the mechanical stops. When not in use, the tabs can be normally folded against the bottom of the base, supported by magnets or by a latch mechanism or by friction or other means.

Figure 20 shows the bottom of the laptop base 201 with the tilt mechanism 203 mounted thereon and positioned in the non-deployed position, against the bottom of the base unit 201 and flush with its bottom surface. This allows a user to use a laptop with only a single screen in a non-tilted position for simple tasks such as multitasking purposes that do not require a second screen. The tilt mechanism can then be deployed when needed for multitasking tasks that require a second screen, giving users maximum flexibility.

Figure 21 shows another embodiment similar to Figure 10 with base unit tilt and base display screen angle adjustability, but with a larger secondary screen. A laptop computer is located on a desktop surface 210 and includes a display unit 212 with a primary screen 213 and a base 211 with a larger secondary screen 214 and a tilt mechanism 215 . In this embodiment, the second screen 214 is hinged around the base 211 at the front edge of the display 214, which allows the user to change the angle between the second screen 214 and the base 211 in order to adjust the viewing angle. Thus, double adjustability is provided to the user: both the angle of the second screen and the base are adjustable. This makes it possible to avoid blocking of the main screen 213 by the second screen 214 . This embodiment can also be combined with the liftable main screen previously shown in Figure 13, providing triple adjustability. FIG. 22 shows the rear of the embodiment of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 23 illustrates the multiple degrees of freedom in orientation of the display provided to the user by the embodiment of FIGS. 21 and 22 . The second screen 214 has an adjustable angle β between the second screen 214 and the base 211 . The laptop base 211 has an adjustable angle γ between the laptop base 211 and the desktop surface 210 (or the user's lap surface, if the user prefers). The main display 212 has an adjustable angle α between the laptop base 211 and the main display 212 . All of these degrees of freedom can be easily adjusted by the user as needed at any time, providing unprecedented productivity and convenience in an efficient multitasking portable environment. The blocking of the main screen 212 by the second screen 214 can be avoided.

Figure 24 illustrates an embodiment similar to that of Figures 21-23, but with an alternative tilt mechanism. In FIG. 24 , the tilt mechanism includes a lever 243 rotatably mounted to each of the left and right sides of a laptop base unit 245 . In Fig. 24, the lever is shown in the non-deployed position. Figure 25 shows the lever 243 of the tilt mechanism in the deployed position, lifting the laptop base 242 to the desired viewing angle.

FIG. 26 shows another embodiment in which the laptop base is actually made up of two parts: a front 261 and a rear 262 , which are hinged relative to each other at pivot 267 . The front 261 includes a keyboard 263 . The rear portion 262 includes a second display screen 264 . This embodiment provides an additional degree of freedom: the angle Θ between the two base parts. This embodiment may provide better (ie, flat) positioning of the keyboard surface while maintaining the ability to adjust the primary screen 265 , secondary screen 264 and tilt mechanism 268 if desired by the user.

FIG. 27 shows another embodiment comprising a primary display unit 272 with a primary screen 273 and a laptop base 271 with a secondary screen 274 . A tilt mechanism mounted on the underside of the base 271 is present in this embodiment, but is not visible in the view shown in FIG. 27 . The second screen 274 in this embodiment is very large, occupying almost the entire area of the base 271 of the laptop computer. Top panel 275 is shown at a distance from laptop base 271 in the exploded view. The top panel will be mounted on top of the base 271 of the laptop.

An expanded view of the top panel is shown in FIG. 28 . This panel 281 has a large opening 282 for the second screen and a number of suitable through-holes 283 for key images that will be displayed on the second screen as part of the virtual keyboard.

FIG. 29 shows an embodiment similar to FIGS. 27 and 28 after the top panel 295 has been installed on top of the laptop base 290 . The second screen 294 is accessible and touchable through a large opening in the top panel 295 . A portion of the second screen 294 is located below the keyhole 296 of the top panel. This portion of the second screen 294 is used to display a virtual keyboard with images of the corresponding desired key labels below the key holes 296 on the top panel (similar to the virtual keyboard of an iPhone or Android phone). Thus, the user can touch these virtual keys through the physical holes 296 in the top panel 295 . One advantage of this arrangement is that there are physical, rather than tactile, spaces between the virtual keys, which helps prevent false touches and frequent mistakes on the virtual keyboard. Therefore, the present invention can provide a reliable and less error-prone virtual keyboard with standard key sizes, standard pitches and distances, and standard arrangements that users are accustomed to, which enables fast and reliable typing with high productivity. This virtual keyboard can also be illuminated, can be adjusted through software settings for different languages and special symbols, and can even be dynamically adjusted through different applications for assigning special meanings or special functions to the different keys required by the application , providing unprecedented input flexibility and productivity for laptop computers. Of course, this ability depends on the user's ability to see the label displayed on the second screen through the hole in the top panel, and of course can be through the tilt mechanism of the laptop computer base (existing but not shown in Figure 29). to fulfill.

Figure 30 is a more detailed perspective view of the same previous embodiment. The laptop sits on a desktop or lap surface 300 and consists of a display unit 302 with a primary screen 303 , and a laptop base 301 with a secondary touch sensitive screen 307 , top panel 304 and tilt mechanism 305 . The second screen 307 extends below the top panel so that the user can touch a virtual keyboard on the display screen 307 through the hole 306 of the top panel.

FIG. 31 shows a rear view of an embodiment similar to that shown in FIG. 30 , with a second screen 313 , a perforated top panel 311 , a keyhole 315 and a tilt mechanism 314 .

Figure 32 shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, a laptop computer sits on a desktop or lap surface 320, which consists of a display unit 322 with a primary screen 323, and a second, larger screen 324 with a tilt mechanism 326 and a display on the second screen 324. The laptop base 321 consists of a virtual keyboard 325 . The disadvantage of this embodiment is that it may be more error-prone for some users due to the absence of the top panel of the previous embodiments which helps prevent erroneous touches. However for some users it has the advantage that it offers maximum flexibility in displaying and shaping the keyboard, and can even close the keyboard when not needed, using the full surface of the second screen 324 for different application needs other purposes. Their keyboards should only be shown when the user wants them to.

33 is a side rear view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 32 , with a primary screen 333 , a secondary screen 332 , a virtual keyboard 335 and a tilt mechanism 334 .

FIG. 34 shows another embodiment having a base 341 , a main screen 342 , a secondary display screen 346 and a keyboard touch screen 347 . Screen 347 is intended to display a virtual keyboard. Tilt mechanism 345 supports base 341 on table top 344 to provide a favorable viewing angle.

35 shows a variation of the previous embodiment in which a top panel 356 is mounted on top of a laptop base 351 with a large opening 358 for a second display touch screen 354 and to allow the user to touch the display displayed on the touch screen 355. A plurality of through holes 357 for the virtual keyboard.

Figure 36 shows the previous embodiment where the perforated top panel is mounted on top of the laptop base 361 and the tilt mechanism 365 provides the necessary good viewing angles.

Figure 37 shows that the previous embodiment may preferably be equipped with extended range hinges 375 and 376 so that they can be rotated to an angle substantially greater than 180 degrees whereby the base unit and display unit form an obtuse angle. This orientation may, for example, facilitate a presentation where the user is on one side of the laptop using the second screen 372 on the base unit 371 and the audience is on the opposite side thereof, facing the display unit with the main screen 373 showing the presentation.

Figure 38 shows the same previous embodiment viewed from the opposite side, with the main screen 381, base 382 and tilt mechanism 383 shown in a non-deployed position.

Figure 39 shows the deployment mechanism of the second screen 392 based on a latch or hook 394, which typically holds a set of springs 393 (typically leaf springs for space reasons) under the frame of the second screen 392 out of compression. Spring 393 biases the second screen towards the deployed position. When the user releases the latch, the spring 393 expands, pushing the second screen 392 upwards and causing it to automatically rise to a relatively small angle. The user can then easily grab the edge of the partially unfolded second screen and further lift it to a desired position. The second screen can be depressed toward the latch to reload the spring 393 and engage the latch 394 to secure the second display in the stowed position. In this embodiment, many other mechanisms may be used to deploy the screen 392, such as coil springs, cams, gears, threaded pins, and the like.

The previously described embodiments may be implemented using a computer having a central processing unit (CPU) capable of supporting multiple displays, such as a primary display unit, a secondary display unit, and potentially additional displays, such as a desktop display or for presentations projector. This function can be realized by using a Type-C USB connection terminal. This makes it possible to provide a portable computer that supports its main display unit, its second internally integrated display unit and an additional external optional display unit such as a monitor, projector, game console or gaming monitor, etc. Therefore, a laptop can provide support for some or all of these displays via a Type-C USB connector. For older legacy devices that do not support USB Type-C (such as old monitors), portable computer embodiments can be equipped with other connectors, such as HDMI, VGA, DVI, etc., which can be connected internally to the motherboard's USB Type-C port. Thus, some embodiments may initially be manufactured with several externally accessible connectors: external Type-C USB connector, HDMI, VGA, DVI, etc. As legacy connectors become less important, an embodiment could provide only the external Type-C USB connector (thus discarding the other external connectors) and let users who may still have older legacy devices connect it via an external Type-C USB hub . The advanced USB Type-C capabilities of the present invention can be achieved by using an advanced CPU, such as Skylake or Kaby Lake from Intel.

In some embodiments, the second display unit provided in the base unit of some embodiments may be made detachable from the base unit. This detachable second display unit can then be used for alternative purposes, such as an enhanced display for a smartphone, for another computer or for a gaming console.

In some embodiments, the second display unit can be made addressable (whether detachable or not) by an external device such as a smartphone, another computer, a game console or other electronic device in order to provide enhanced display. External device display addressability may be provided through a display data interface implemented by the portable computer for receiving display data from the external computing device for presentation on the second display panel. The display data interface may be integrated within the second display unit (especially for embodiments with a detachable second display unit) or elsewhere within the portable computer. In either case, the display interface can provide access to the portable computer display via a wired means (eg, via a USB Type-C or other connector), wirelessly, or both. For example, in some embodiments, the user can use the main display unit or the main display unit to work on the laptop computer; at the same time, the smart phone can be interconnected with the second display unit of the laptop computer, so that the smart phone can output video content to the portable computer. on the computer display interface so as to be presented on the second display unit. In this use, smartphone notifications and other smartphone display interactions can be automatically routed to the second display unit, enabling users to use multiple devices seamlessly and efficiently.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein for clarity and understanding, the foregoing description and drawings merely illustrate and illustrate the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is to be understood that those skilled in the art having access to this disclosure will be able to make modifications and changes to what is disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (29)

1. A portable computer comprising: A display unit and a base unit, the display unit and the base unit are connected along a first edge by a first display unit hinge structure in a clamshell configuration, whereby the front surface of the base unit and the front surface of the display unit Surfaces can be folded adjacent to each other; a first display panel mounted within the display unit, the first display panel comprising a majority of the front surface area of the display unit; wherein the base unit includes a top surface having a keyboard located in a front portion of the top surface and a second display panel located in a rear portion of the top surface, the second display panel comprising the base unit a small portion of the top surface surface area; and an angle adjustment mechanism operable to adjust a viewing angle of the second display panel relative to a user of the portable computer. 2. The portable computer of claim 1 , wherein the angle adjustment mechanism comprises a hinge connecting the front edge of the second display panel to the base unit, by means of which the rear edge of the second display panel Adjustable in height relative to the base unit top surface. 3. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the angle adjustment mechanism includes an expandable support mounted near and extendable below a bottom surface of the base unit, the expandable support being retractable. The expandable support moves between a raised position and a deployed position in which the deployable support raises the rear of the base unit above the surface on which the base unit is placed. 4. The portable computer of claim 3, wherein the deployable support (a) comprises a flat frame or tabs or panels, and (b) is connected to the bottom rear of the base unit via a hinge. 5. The portable computer of claim 3, wherein the expandable support includes a left support pivotally mounted to a left side of the base unit and a right support pivotally mounted to the base unit. side right support. 6. The portable computer of claim 2 , further comprising a second angle adjustment mechanism comprising an expandable support mounted near and extendable below a bottom surface of the base unit, The deployable support is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the deployable support raising the rear of the base unit above the surface on which the base unit is placed when in the deployed position. 7. The portable computer of claim 3, wherein the second display unit is fixed in position relative to the top surface of the base unit. 8. The portable computer of claim 3, wherein the expandable support is movable between a plurality of rest positions. 9. The portable computer of claim 8, wherein the plurality of rest positions includes a first position in which the deployable support is flush with the bottom surface of the base unit; and A second position in which the deployable support extends below the bottom surface of the base unit to raise a portion of the base unit above the support surface by a predetermined amount. 10. The portable computer of claim 3, wherein the expandable support is movable by a user between a range of rest positions. 11. The portable computer of claim 1 , wherein the second display panel is adjustable between a first orientation and a second orientation, the second display panel being aligned with the base unit in the first orientation The top surface is flush, and the second display panel is supported at a predetermined angle relative to the base unit in the second orientation. 12. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the second display panel is adjustable between angles within a predetermined range relative to the base unit. 13. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the first display unit hinge structure comprises a wide range hinge capable of moving the display unit relative to the base unit over a range substantially greater than 180 degrees. 14. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the second display panel (a) is fixed in position relative to the base unit; and (b) comprises a display panel having an extended range viewing angle. 15. The portable computer of claim 2, wherein the angle adjustment mechanism further comprises a spring mechanism biased against the second display panel to move the second display panel in response to release of the latch mechanism. The second display panel moves toward the unfolded position. 16. A portable computer comprising: a display unit including a first display panel exposed on its front surface; a base unit including a second display panel exposed on its top surface; The display unit and base unit are connected along a first edge by a wide range hinge structure, wherein the display unit and base unit can be oriented relative to each other in (a) a closed position in which the front of the base unit surface and the front surface of the display unit are folded adjacent to each other; (b) an open position in which the display unit and the base unit form an acute angle such that the first display panel and the second display panel face the same observer; and (c) a display position in which the display unit and the base unit form an obtuse angle such that the first display panel and the second display panel face in opposite directions. 17. The portable computer of claim 16, wherein: the base unit top surface further includes a keyboard on a front thereof; and the second display panel includes a fraction of the surface area of the base unit top surface. 18. A portable computer comprising: A display unit and a base unit, the display unit and the base unit are connected along a first edge by a first display unit hinge structure in a clamshell configuration, whereby the front surface of the base unit and the front surface of the display unit Surfaces can be folded adjacent to each other; a first display panel mounted within the display unit, the first display panel comprising a majority of the front surface area of the display unit; wherein the base unit includes a top surface having a keypad located in a front portion of the top surface and a second display panel located in a rear portion of the top surface; an angle adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the viewing angle of the second display panel relative to a user of the portable computer; and a first display position adjustment mechanism within the display unit, the first display position adjustment mechanism being operable to adjust the distance between the first display panel and the base unit; By means of the first display position adjustment mechanism, the first display panel can be raised to avoid being blocked by the second display panel. 19. The portable computer of claim 18 , wherein the angle adjustment mechanism comprises a hinge connecting the front edge of the second display panel to the base unit, by means of which the rear edge of the second display panel Adjustable in height relative to the base unit top surface. 20. The portable computer of claim 19, wherein the first display position adjustment mechanism includes one or more rails along which a user can slide the first display panel. 21. The portable computer according to claim 20, wherein said first display position adjustment mechanism further comprises a detent for variably securing and releasing said first display panel along said one or more track travel. 22. The portable computer of claim 19, further comprising a second angle adjustment mechanism comprising an expandable support mounted adjacent to and extendable below a bottom surface of the base unit, The deployable support is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the deployable support raising the rear of the base unit above the surface on which the base unit is placed when in the deployed position. 23. The portable computer of claim 19, further comprising a second angle adjustment mechanism, said second angle adjustment mechanism comprising one or more expandable supports, each of said expandable supports mounted on said base On the side surface of the unit, the expandable support is movable between a stowed position and an expanded position, the expandable support in the expanded position raises the base above the surface on which the base unit is placed the rear of the unit. 24. The portable computer according to claim 1, further comprising a central processing unit (CPU) supporting a Type-C USB connection terminal to drive the first display panel and the second display panel. 25. The portable computer of claim 18, further comprising a central processing unit (CPU) supporting a Type-C USB connection terminal to drive the first display panel and the second display panel. 26. The portable computer of claim 1, further comprising a display data interface that receives display data from an external computing device for presentation on the second display panel. 27. The portable computer of claim 26, wherein the display data interface is integrated within the second display panel; and wherein the second display panel is detachable from the base unit. 28. The portable computer of claim 18, further comprising a display data interface that receives display data from an external computing device for presentation on the second display panel. 29. The portable computer of claim 28, wherein the display data interface is integrated within the second display panel; and wherein the second display panel is detachable from the base unit.